Diamonds and Old Masters

Antwerp is the world centre of the diamond trade. Today the wholesale side is securely locked away but there are still artworks everywhere.This city was the largest in the world in the 12 th century and was the headquarters of the Hansiatic league. The guilds each tried to outdo each other with their halls and chapels.  As a result many buildings look like cathedrals from the outside.

We saw castles, the impressive town hall,  Peter Paul Rubens house, the massive cathedral, local parish churches that would be the cathedral anywhere else and artworks everywhere.  When we visited Ruben's house where he lived for more than 25 years, it was obvious that he was never a struggling artist who starved in a garret.

The cathedral had so many of Ruben's paintings on display, it was quite mind boggling.  Many of these paintings were designed as altar pieces for the various guilds as a display of their power.  The Fine Arts Museum is under renovation at present so their artworks are back in the cathedral where they were designed for.

Our boat was moored in the river right along the old town so it was very convenient for us to explore the town.  Our room is very comfortable but being a river boat, it is much smaller than the one we had on Windstar.

                                               The impressive castle on the River Schelde

                         The town hall and the main square were both wonderful

                  In front of the town hall is the fountain. It represents a Roman era story.

                                               View through the narrow streets of Antwerp.

We have hundreds of photos of churches and artworks. We promise not to show them all to you!
This one is by Breughel but we also have lots by Rubens.